Herbs that do double or even triple duty, that you need to have in your kitchen.

Every cook has their own favorite herbs that they like to cook with and tend to put into just about everything. I do that with cumin and garlic. But did you know that many of those same herbs that you love to flavor you food with, can also be used in home remedies? Here are a few that should be in every home and some must have herbs in the kitchen.

Lavender

Lavender is a low-lying bushy flower with long stems and many tiny, pale purple buds, that simply smells amazing! The flavor is just a little floral and used frequently in French cooking

Lavender can be used for treating loss of appetite, headaches, restlessness, sleep issues, cramps, and can help with circulatory issues. The oil is also an effective treatment for burns.

Sage

Sage is a low-lying, silvery bush with oblong, soft and fuzzy leaves that is used frequently to flavor pork and poultry.

Used to help improve appetite and ease inflammation. Can also be helpful for slowing down milk production in nursing mothers.

Basil

There are many varieties of basil, but is pretty easy to identify by its large, thin oval and easily bruised leaves. Basil is sweet, a bit peppery and offers a slight anise-like aftertaste. Depending on the variety of course.

Basil has very strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Traditionally used to stimulate appetite and for helping calm upset stomachs. Chinese medicine uses basil to support kidney function and as a treatment for ulcers of the mouth and gums . Traditional Indian medicine uses basil to treat everything from earaches, rashes, itching, malaria, respiratory issues, arthritis and and loss of appetite. Anorexia.

Dill

Mammoth Dill can grow quite tall with beautiful, fragrant flowering heads and feathery, fragile leaves. Dill and parsley have a lot in common, which is why they are often paired together or are used in many of the same dishes. Dill is traditionally used to treat an upset stomach upset , gas, heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues. It can also be used to help treat sleep disorders, like insomnia and can be given to children who have colic.

Parsley

Deep green, slightly serrated leaves that curl up from the stem with a potent fragrance reminiscent of carrot leaves and parsnips.

Parsley is can be used to treat urinary tract infections and is just as effective as cranberry juice, it can also be used to treat kidney and bladder stones. Parsley can be used to help with other stomach issues and can help simulate menstruation.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a bushy plant with long stems, and bright green, slightly fuzzy leaves.

Usually taken as a tea or as an infusion, peppermint is traditionally used to treat colic and digestive upset, but it’s also great for treating colds, the flu, stuffy noses and seasonal allergies. Combine with Honey and you have a great treatment for sore throats and coughs. Peppermint essential oil, applied to the temples, can help relieve headaches and migraines. Peppermint leaves can also be used as a treatment of liver and gallbladder issues.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a pine-like shrub with long stems and short, needle-like leaves.Rosemary is traditionally used for upset stomach, gas, headaches and migraines. It can also be used to treat menstrual disorders and when applied to wounds can help speed healing. It is also effective in treating eczema and controlling blood pressure.

Oregano

Oregano is a short, shrubby herb with small, deep-green leaves. Oregano is used to treat respiratory problems like stuffy noses and coughs and is an effective expectorant. It can also be used to help ease menstrual cramping and it has very potent antimicrobial activities.